Hi Julee,  I saw your posting in today's Digest.  I was a little
surprised to see what you said:

> I really don't know a thing about them except the names,
> and I have recently learned that they are 88-note players."

I really did do some research for you and it would have been nice
if you had indicated the information that I already gave you.  I am
one of the techs that Robbie was referring to in his comment.

At 10:41 10 Nov 1997 -0500 you wrote:

> Thank you John for your reply and information. ...
>
> I have a Playola Junior Manufactured and guaranteed by Hardman
> Peck & Company, New York; it also says HARRINGTON 88 keys

Phillips & Crew Piano Company Atlanta #46275   88 keys  **made by
Krell-French in 1917 or 1911**  The company was shifting hands and it's
hard to tell if the parent company was Jesse French or Krell-French.
Sometimes the key makers put the date on the end keys.  That's where I
would look.  And it appears that the player action is either a Simplex
or a Gulbransen.  Do the holes on the tracker bar look square or
trapezoid in shape?
 
> Bell & Co. New York #68145   88 keys (this is the only one that,
> when I pump, it works.)

** A very small concern.  No serial numbers listed.  Most likely was
involved in assembling units for a larger company. **

> Lakeside Player Piano Chicago  #100469  88 keys

** made in 1917 and used a Standard or Simplex action. Standard has
square (actually rectangular) holes, Simplex has trapezoid holes.

> I live in Alabama and an elderly gentleman was wanting someone to
> haul these away for the small price of $200.00 so we took them.
> I appreciate the info for the catalog and I will get that, too,
> to learn more.  This is FUN!!!
>
>Julee   ;}

All these units are from fairly obscure companies that were either
swallowed up by larger companies or were in business for a relatively
short period of time (less than twenty years).  It may require quite
a bit more research to find out any more definitive info and most
certainly would require close visual inspection to determine exactly
what types of player mechanisms are involved.

Musically,
John A. Tuttle

 [ Thanks, John, for helping Julee so kindly.  Julee: do you plan to
 [ rehabilitate any of the pianos?  You can extend your fun to
 [ making music with your feet!  -- Robbie